São José do Rio Preto’s Professor Eribelto Manoel Reino Airport has kicked-off a rapid infrastructure upgrade after local club Mirassol qualified for the 2026 Copa Libertadores. On 22 November the airport operator hosted officials from the Federal Police, Receita Federal customs service, agricultural‐inspection agency Vigiagro and health regulator Anvisa to map out the requirements for processing foreign charter flights that will carry visiting teams and supporters.
Although the regional airport already handles around 20 daily domestic movements, it has never cleared an international arrival. The inspection team confirmed that only logistical adjustments—not major civil works—will be needed. A hold-baggage X-ray machine and a secure temporary arrivals hall are already in place; the main tasks will be to reconfigure passenger flows, set up a sterile transit zone and install biometric e-Gate readers linked to the Federal Police border-control system.
![Rio Preto Airport Begins International Upgrade Ahead of 2026 Copa Libertadores]()
Under CONMEBOL rules, clubs hosting Libertadores fixtures must guarantee an airport with international clearance within 150 km of the stadium. Mirassol’s Estádio Municipal is just 55 km from Rio Preto, giving the facility a chance to capture match-day charter traffic that would otherwise divert to Ribeirão Preto or São Paulo. Airport management expects up to ten midnight-to-dawn charter rotations during the tournament window, minimising disruption to the regular domestic schedule.
For travel managers the temporary upgrade means faster, direct access for corporate sponsors and VIP guests who would otherwise face a two-hour road transfer from Ribeirão Preto. Ground-handling provider Swissport says it will position extra staff and equipment to turn wide-body aircraft within the restricted nighttime slot. Local authorities hope the initiative will leave a lasting legacy—once the temporary international licence is granted, the airport can apply to make the status permanent, opening fresh possibilities for regional tourism and trade.
Although the regional airport already handles around 20 daily domestic movements, it has never cleared an international arrival. The inspection team confirmed that only logistical adjustments—not major civil works—will be needed. A hold-baggage X-ray machine and a secure temporary arrivals hall are already in place; the main tasks will be to reconfigure passenger flows, set up a sterile transit zone and install biometric e-Gate readers linked to the Federal Police border-control system.
Under CONMEBOL rules, clubs hosting Libertadores fixtures must guarantee an airport with international clearance within 150 km of the stadium. Mirassol’s Estádio Municipal is just 55 km from Rio Preto, giving the facility a chance to capture match-day charter traffic that would otherwise divert to Ribeirão Preto or São Paulo. Airport management expects up to ten midnight-to-dawn charter rotations during the tournament window, minimising disruption to the regular domestic schedule.
For travel managers the temporary upgrade means faster, direct access for corporate sponsors and VIP guests who would otherwise face a two-hour road transfer from Ribeirão Preto. Ground-handling provider Swissport says it will position extra staff and equipment to turn wide-body aircraft within the restricted nighttime slot. Local authorities hope the initiative will leave a lasting legacy—once the temporary international licence is granted, the airport can apply to make the status permanent, opening fresh possibilities for regional tourism and trade.
